IADR engages with international health bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN), to ensure dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) research is represented within broader global health agendas.
IADR also collaborates with partners across the research and health policy landscape to strengthen advocacy, support its members, and encourage greater investment and attention to oral health research worldwide. Together, these efforts help elevate oral health on the global stage and advance policies that recognize its essential role in overall health and well-being.
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization Executive Board (WHO EB) is responsible for implementing the decisions and policies established by the World Health Assembly (WHA), which serves as WHO’s principal decision-making body. Each January, during its annual meeting, the WHO EB determines the agenda and drafts the resolutions to be considered at the upcoming WHA.
IADR, along with the FDI World Dental Federation are the only oral health related NGOs in official relations with WHO, delivers statements during this meeting to advocate for the inclusion of oral health research within key agenda items. Some of these interventions are done collaboratively with the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) and help elevate oral health on the global health agenda and contribute to shaping commitments and international policies that prioritize oral health.
World Health Assembly
The WHA is the decision-making body of WHO and is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland. It is attended by delegations from WHO Member States and, due to IADR’s official relations status with the WHO, we leverage this meeting by delivering statements made in collaboration with the FDI World Dental Federation to influence global policies and commitments on oral health.
United Nations
IADR actively participates in United Nations multistakeholder hearings as part of the preparatory process for high-level meetings on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and universal health coverage. These forums provide a platform to highlight the role of dental, oral, and craniofacial research in addressing global health challenges. By delivering statements and engaging with international partners, IADR advocates for the inclusion of oral health in UN political declarations and global commitments, ensuring research-informed policy decisions that advance health equity and innovation.
Minamata Convention on Mercury
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. Its provisions guide countries in accelerating the phase down and planning for the phase-out of dental amalgam.
IADR works with FDI World Dental Federation to bring oral health research and clinical expertise to the Convention’s discussions on dental amalgam. Through joint advocacy at meetings of the Conference of the Parties, IADR promotes caries prevention, access to affordable and clinically appropriate mercury-free alternatives, and waste management. IADR also advocates for continued research on the performance, affordability, and environmental impact of alternative materials, and for preserving clinical judgement when amalgam is necessary to meet a patient’s needs.
Declarations
IADR has been part of many declarations by the international community on the importance of research and collaboration to advance oral care including:
- Minamata Convention on Mercury
- Bangkok Declaration – No Health Without oral Health
- WW8 Bali Declaration on Oral Health in HIV/AIDS
- WW7 Hyderabad Declaration
- Budapest Declaration
- Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Agenda
- WW6 Beijing Declaration
- Liverpool Declaration
- WW5 The Phuket Declaration on Oral Health in HIV/AIDS 2004
International Advocacy Toolkit
The IADR International Advocacy Toolkit will assist IADR members across the world in developing advocacy and communications campaigns in support of dental, oral and craniofacial research. Through use of this toolkit, IADR members can feel empowered to champion dental, oral and craniofacial research and work to promote funding and policies that contribute to scientific advancement.
Interested in taking action or learning more about advocacy efforts?
